Diploma in Aeronautical Electromagnetic Compatibility and HIRF
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in aeronautical electromagnetic compatibility and HIRF. 8 modules covering EMC in aircraft, applied electromagnetic theory, the HIRF environment, DO-160 EMC testing, design for compatibility, aircraft-level verification, simulation and certification, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Aeronautical Electromagnetic Compatibility and HIRF — studying from South Africa
South Africa has a long-standing aerospace base, anchored by the Western Cape cluster around Cape Town and the Gauteng aerospace corridor near Johannesburg. Companies such as Denel Aerospace Systems, Aerosud and Airbus-linked suppliers in the Western Cape draw on local engineering talent. The South African Civil Aviation Authority oversees airworthiness and drone regulation, while the South African National Space Agency coordinates national space activity. Demand for skills in aircraft systems, unmanned aerial systems and satellite engineering continues to grow across both regions.
Fees for South Africa: R 27 900 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the South African Council for Aeronautical and Engineering Professions or ECSA?
SEIUM is a private online institute and its qualifications are not official state degrees or accredited by a national body. In South Africa, professional registration is handled by bodies such as ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa) and SACAP for built environment roles, and aviation licensing by the SACAA. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by the employer or the relevant body, so check directly with them before enrolling.
Would this qualification help me get work with aerospace or drone employers in South Africa?
Employers in South Africa's aerospace and drone sector, such as aircraft maintenance organisations, defence contractors and drone operators, usually weigh experience, licensing and university credentials heavily. A private online qualification can support your CV and show specialist knowledge, but it does not guarantee hiring or a particular role. Ask prospective employers whether they value the programme before you commit.
Can I manage the workload while working full time, and do I need to be fluent in English?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you need solid working English. Study is fully remote, so no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, with an assigned technical tutor. Plan your weekly hours realistically, and ask whether employer sponsorship or instalment payment could help with fees.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Identify sources, victims and coupling mechanisms in aircraft.
Apply transmission line and shielding theory to wiring.
Characterise the HIRF environment and its effect on critical functions.
Plan equipment EMC testing in accordance with DO-160.
Design bonding, filtering and shielding measures.
Verify HIRF protection at aircraft level.
Develop a HIRF certification strategy using AMC 20-158.
Who it's for
- Electromagnetic compatibility engineers
- HIRF specialists
- EMC test engineers
- Avionics design engineers
- Electrical systems certification engineers
- Electromagnetic simulation analysts
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join aircraft manufacturers
What you'll work with
- RTCA DO-160G (environmental conditions and test procedures for airborne equipment)
- AMC 20-158 (EASA) (aircraft electrical and electronic system HIRF protection)
- FAA AC 20-158A (HIRF certification of aircraft systems)
- SAE ARP5583A (guide to certification of aircraft in a HIRF environment)
- MIL-STD-461G (EMI control requirements for subsystems and equipment)
- MIL-STD-464C (electromagnetic environmental effects for systems)
- SAE ARP4754A (development of civil aircraft and systems)
- EUROCAE ED-107A (HIRF certification guide)
- CST Studio Suite
- Ansys HFSS
- EMA3D
- Keysight PathWave
- FEKO
8 modules
1.1Radiated and conducted emission and susceptibility1.2Onboard sources of interference1.3Field, cable and common-mode coupling1.4External electromagnetic environment1.5Passenger portable electronic devices1.6Effect of composite materials on shielding1.7Historical incidents attributed to interference1.8Organisation of EMC control in a programme1.9EMC control plan1.10Case study: inter-system compatibility matrix
2.1Transmission lines and cables2.2Field-to-cable coupling2.3Shielding and shielding effectiveness2.4Cavity resonances in the fuselage2.5Transfer impedances2.6Antenna modelling and patterns2.7Crosstalk between harnesses2.8Units and quantities in dB2.9Switching noise in power electronics2.10Lab: shielding effectiveness of a cable
3.1Origin: radars, broadcast stations and transmitters3.2Certification and normal HIRF environments3.3Levels according to certification regulations3.4Critical functions and test level3.5Aircraft attenuation3.6Transfer of the external field to wiring3.7Whole-aircraft assessment methods3.8Requirements for rotorcraft3.9Equipment categories in DO-160 Section 203.10Practical exercise: classifying functions by HIRF criticality
4.1Section 15: magnetic effect4.2Section 16: power input4.3Section 17: voltage spikes4.4Section 18: audio frequency conducted susceptibility4.5Section 19: induced signal susceptibility4.6Section 20: radio frequency susceptibility (radiated and conducted)4.7Section 21: emission of radio frequency energy4.8Test set-up, LISN and chambers4.9Interpretation of results and deviations4.10Workshop: DO-160 test plan for an avionics unit
5.1Grounding and bonding5.2Shielding topologies and terminations5.3Input filters and suppressors5.4PCB design for EMC5.5Cable separation and categories5.6Conductive gaskets and apertures5.7Protection in composite structures5.8Transient suppression5.9EMC design reviews5.10Practical exercise: filter selection for a 28 V DC line
6.1Bulk current injection (BCI) testing6.2Low-level swept illumination6.3Reverberation chamber testing6.4Inter-system compatibility measurements6.5Testing with passenger portable devices6.6Antenna interference testing6.7Correlation with numerical models6.8Analysis by similarity6.9Deviation management6.10Lab: analysis of BCI test data
7.1FDTD, MoM and TLM methods7.2Modelling complex wiring7.3Whole-aircraft simulation7.4Model validation with measurements7.5HIRF acceptable means of compliance7.6AMC 20-158 and AC 20-158A7.7Compliance documentation7.8Maintenance of protection7.9Modifications and STCs7.10Case study: HIRF compliance strategy for a helicopter
8.1Selection of the system to assess8.2Identification of sources and victims8.3Criticality classification8.4Protection and bonding design8.5Equipment test plan8.6Aircraft verification plan8.7Certification strategy8.8Technical report8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is CST Studio Suite, Ansys HFSS, EMA3D, Keysight PathWave and FEKO, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: planning susceptibility tests according to DO-160, assessing HIRF coupling into aircraft wiring, and designing the bonding and shielding of an avionics unit. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: RTCA DO-160G, AMC 20-158 (EASA), FAA AC 20-158A, SAE ARP5583A, MIL-STD-461G, MIL-STD-464C, SAE ARP4754A, EUROCAE ED-107A.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with CST Studio Suite, Ansys HFSS, EMA3D, Keysight PathWave and FEKO, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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